Exotic species as models to understand biocultural adaptation: Challenges to mainstream views of human-nature relations

Abstract

A central argument in the research on traditional knowledge, which persists in the scientific literature, is that the entrance of exotic plants in local medical systems is directly associated with acculturation. However, this logic has put an end for a long period to efforts to understand why such species have so successfully entered socio-ecological systems or even their real role in such systems. This study provides evidence that (1) in some socio-environmental contexts, exotic medicinal species usually confer greater adaptive advantages to local populations, and (2) despite their general importance, exotic species only excel in medical systems when cost-benefit ratio is favorable to them. Thus, in order to avoid the loss of knowledge about native plants and to ensure biocultural conservation, it is necessary to create strategies to amplify the advantages of these species.

Utilitarian redundancy in local medical systems - theoretical and methodological contributions

“…The second database [47] belongs to a neighboring community also placed in the municipality of Barreiras (20 km from the headquarters of the municipality), which is called Sucruiuzinho. The third database [48] belongs to the rural community of Morrão de Cima, which is located in the municipality of São Desidério (14 km from the headquarters of the municipality).…”

“…We now add to the simulations performed above a real example of the application of our Uredit. We used databases of three studies conducted in the Western portion of the state of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil [ 46 – 48 ]. The first dataset [ 46 ] belongs to an ethnobotanical survey developed in the rural community of Sucruiu, placed in the municipality of Barreiras (25 km from the headquarters of the municipality).…”

“Cardos” of two worlds: Transfer and re-signification of the uses of thistles between the Iberian Peninsula and Argentina

“…Other times, the re signification includes the adjudication of new uses (absent in the original biocultural context); e.g., the use of these plants as emergency fuel, according to the local needs. This case exemplifies the concept of biocultural adaptation, in terms of Gama et al (2018).…”

“…As Gama and collaborators say: "Although many studies have attempted to understand the complexity of relationships between humans and their environments, it is still necessary to advance the understanding of the human behavior associated with these relationships" (Gama et al 2018). In this context, the local uses of Cynara cardunculus var.…”

Wood and non-wood forest products of Central Java, Indonesia

“…These species, often exotic, may therefore be more common in the rehabilitated stands. Many of the species increasing after cutting the forest are invasive exotic species (Alencar et al, 2010;Alencar, Santoro, & Albuquerque, 2014;Bennett & Prance, 2000;Gama, de Paula, Da Silva, Junior, & de Medeiros, 2018), while native species might be rare (Kala, 2005). The exotic species are strong competitors with fast growth, and some use allelopathic chemicals to dominate the vegetation and anti-herbivorous substances to avoid herbivory.…”